As the Travel editor, I sometimes get to play travel agent (sort of), when readers ask me where they should go next. I relish answering the questions, not only because I get to direct people to some wonderful spots, but also because I start daydreaming of getaways I want to take.

I recently heard from a woman who wants to take her family of five to a special warm-weather destination in March. Florida, California and Mexico were out; they'd been too often. Hawaii was proving too expensive. "We enjoy water sports and nature," she wrote in an e-mail. "Got any ideas of a great time that won't totally break out bank?"

I turned to Sun Country to see where they're flying this winter -- not necessarily because the reader would fly that airline, but to get a sense of which southern locales will see competitive pressure on flight prices.

My research turned up two faves: Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Puerto Rico has a host of beachside resorts and an old town with cobblestone streets lined by dining and shopping options. St. Thomas, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is gorgeous, laid-back and an easy boat ride to even more gorgeous St. John, where 60 percent of the land is national park.

Want to travel sooner -- and closer to home? Turn to G2 each Sunday for the duration of the fall color season to find a pick for best autumn show, as suggested by Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources. In a Star Tribune informal online poll, we asked readers what is their favorite way to see fall color. The clear leader was "on a weekend road trip." As always, we're happy to point you in the right direction.

Send your questions or tips to travel editor Kerri Westenberg at travel@startribune.com, and follow her on twitter @kerriwestenberg.